Tomato-scalder.



T. H. POWERS.

TOMATO SGALDER.

APPLICATION FILED 11111.?. 1914.

1,1 12,552. v Patented 001.6,1911

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

@y M 1720ma5l10wens THE MORRIS PETERS CG 1 PHOTO-LITHO., WASHING foN, Dv C.

UNTED STATES PATENT FFCE.

THOMAS H. POWERS, OF TEMPLEMAN CROSS ROADS, VIRGINIA, .ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF T0 ROBERT L. PARKER, 0F TEMPLEIJIAN CROSS ROADS, VIRGINIA.

CALI) ER.

Specification o' 'Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 6, 1914.

Application filed January 7, 1914.-. Serial No. 810,889.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that l, THOMAS H. POWERS, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Templeman Cross Roads, in the county of Westmoreland and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tomato-Scalders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in tomato scalders such as are used in canning factories for the purpose of partially cooking the tomatoes and of thoroughly cleansing the same.

The objects of the invention briey stated are to provide a tomato scalder which may be readily and quickly cleaned; in which provision is made for the efiicient precipitation and removal of foreign matter or sludge in which the operation of the machine will not be substantially interrupted should it become necessary to clean the scalding tank while the machine is in use; in which any accumulation of'sludge is not particularly liable to contaminate the tomatoes; which may be readily operated by manual power and by a single attendant; and which is capable of substantially continuous use in scalding and cleaning the tomatoes and, therefore, has a relatively large output.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure l is a perspective view of a machine in which the features of the invention are incorporated; llig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view in a median plane through one of the scalding' tanks; F ig'. 3 is a cross sectional view of the machine; and F ig. 4 is a detail fragmentary view of the bottom of one of the scalding tanks.

Similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several VlGVS.

The machine shown in the accompanying drawings includes two scalding tanks l and these tanks and their appurtenances are similar in construction. A description of one will, therefore, suthce for both.

Each tank 1 isof rectangular outline and has a specially constructed bottom 2, the essential characteristic of which is that it is of convex form and is provided at its ends with openings 3 through which the precipitated sludge is discharged, the openings 3 alining with connections in which are arranged the gates for regulating the discharge of the sludge. As these connections and gates, per se, form no part of the invention, their illustration is not deemed necessary. rlhe bottom 2 is symmetrical in outline and has such longitudinal curvature that relatively steep downwardly inclined surfaces 6 are provided at each side of itsvr pockets. The path along which the sludge flows in its passages over the surfaces 6 is also of tapering outline, being narrowest at its lowest end and having a minimum width which isk substantially equal to the diameter of the openings. ll or this purpose baffles or guides 9 are arranged 'at each side of the pockets 8, these baffles adjoiningthe side walls of the tank and having their edges, whereat they join the surfaces 6 inclined oppositely to one another to define the ta-v pering flow-way for the precipitated sludge. The batlies or guides 9 are preferably conveXly curved in cross section, thus having' the substantial form of a quarter segment of a cone, for the purpose of readily deflecting precipitated foreign matter upon the surfaces 6.

The tank l is partially filled with water in any suitable manner and the water level is determined by the elevation of an escape pipe 10 which may be conveniently located in one of the end walls 7. The water in the tank is heated by steam and for this purpose steam pipes ll are arranged within the tank adjacent and parallel to the side walls thereof. The pipes ll are provided with closely associated discharge openings 12 through which the steam is delivered in the form of fine jets of considerable strength into the water in lthe tank. The openings l2 are arranged at or near the undersides of the pipes ll in order that the steam jets may be directed downwardly and hence may promote the settling of precipitated foreign matter upon the bottom 2. The pipes 11 extend from end to end of the tank and are arranged in close rel 'on to the highest part of the bottor l rioly the pipes 11 rest on said n and on the battles t) and receive substantial support from these elements.

rlhe tomatoes to be scalo."r in the foraminmis beft pose and these baskets platform which is or and is lrwered i. to tei tomatoes in the water and raise tank to permit the nunmal of the ytion has been comrlhe platform 13 is of suitable lably consisting of an angle iron frame 'raving its ena bars connected long id cial slats ln its lowermost position 'une platform 13 comes toi-est in close proximity to the pipes 11 and preferably directly upon said pipes.

"Where the tanks are employed in duplicate as shown and preferred, special operating mechanism is provided for the platare plaed upon a pleted. skeleton ccmstruction, prei:

forms 13 the arrangement beine` such that .A 3 o r3 these platforms work in alternation, that is to say, when one platform is lowered the other is raised and vice versa. rlliis platform operating mechanism may be conveniently actuated manually by single attendant and consists of a longitudinal rock shaft 16 supported above the tanks in line with the median dividing wall thereof and journaled in uprights 1T secured to the end wall of the apparatus; cross arms 18 secured at their centers upon the shaft 16; links 19 connecting the ends of the arms 18 and the platforms 13, the links being secured to the centers of hangers 2O co-planar with the end bars of the frame 1li; a two armed operating lever 21 secured at its center to one of the uprights 17; a cross arm 22 secured at its center upon a projecting end of the shaft 1G and links i3 connecting the ends of the arm 22 and the lever 21. The links 19 are detachably connected to the hangers 20, the pivots being mounted upon pivoted spring pressed levers 24, which may be operated to disconnect said links and thus permit of the complete removal of the platformfrom the tank. The platforms are removed when in elevated position and consequently the removal of a platform does not interfere with the scalding operation taking place in the adjoining tank. The removal of each platform enables easy access to the interior lof the tank for the purposes of cleaning, adjustment or repair, since when the platform is removed, the whole interior of the tank is accessibly exposed.

The construction of the bottom 2 as above described is of advantage in that two relatively small streams of sludge, neither of which is liable to choke or clon the sludge outlet are produced, instead or one large stream as heretofore. lt is important that foreign matter should be thoroughly precipitated and quickly removed, in order to prevent the steam et openings from becoming clogged with consequent liability of con- .m tamination of the tomatoes. lThe production of two relatively small streams of sludge, as above stated, insures the ready discharge of the sludge through the sludge gates; the form of the bottom 2 insures the ready passage of the sludge to the outlets; and the arrangement of the steam pipes in close proximity to the bottom and to the platform (when lowered) with the jets of said pipe opening downwardly, insures the 30 ready precipitation of the sludge upon the bottom :2. Even though one of the sludge gates should by chance become clogged, at least half of the sludge discharges through the other gate and consequently it is prac- 35 tical to clean the clogged sludge gate without substantial interference with the operation of the machine. A further important advantage which is secured by the provision of the arched bottom 2, in combination with the steam pipes delivering downwardly directed jets of steam, is that any foreign matter which may be in suspension in the water will always be kept at a stratum or level substantially below the tomatoes be 95 ing scalded and consequently the rapidity and thoroughness of the cleaning operation is greatly promoted. In other words, precipitated foreign matter is effectually pre vented from circulating, before it settles upon the bottom 2, through the immediate stratum of water in which the tomatoes are submerged.

lllhen using two platforms working in alternation, the scalded tomatoes may be removed from and fresh tomatoes may be placed upon the elevated platform simultaneously with the scalding operation in the other tank in which the loaded platform is in lowermost position.

fis a matter of convenience, pivoted supports 2o may be provided to engage either of the elevated ends of the lever 23 and positively hold the platforms against movement during the scalding operation in which either of the platforms may be utilized.

Having fully described my invention, I claim 1. A tomato scalder comprising a tank having a bottom oppositely inclined from a 12o central elevated point and provided with sludge outlets at its lowest points adjoining the ends of the tank, steam pipes arranged within the tank close to said bottom and having steam discharge openings, and a tomato carrier movable in the tank above said steam pipes.

2. A tomato scalder comprising a tank having` a bottom oppositely inclined from a central elevated point and provided with 13o lsludge outlets at its lowest points adjoining the ends of the tank, baies arranged at the sides of the tank and dening flow-ways for the solid matter which is precipitated upon said botto-m, said flow-ways tapering toward said outlets, steam pipes arranged within the tank close to said bottom and having steam discharge openings, and a tomato carrier movable in the tank above said steam pipes.

3. A tomato scalder comprising a tank having a bottom oppositely inclined from a central elevated point provided With sludge outlets at its lowest ends adjoining the ends of the tank, steam pipes arranged within the tank close to said bottom, the steam pipes having downwardly directed steam discharge openings, and a tomato carrier movable in said tank above said steam pipes.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS H. POWERS. Witnesses T. M. AMEST, FRANK STUART.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

